The runways at Heathrow could handle an increased number of flights if they were managed in a more effective way, British Airways has claimed.
In a recent statement, the company said that if improvements were made to the way in which flights are routed at the airport, travel delays due to severe weather could be reduced by up to two-thirds.
A study by BA found that under the current method of handling flights, arrivals are confined to one runway at a time, with strong headwinds often leading to a reduced arrival rate.
The report compared Heathrow's operation with Gatwick, where flights are handled in a 'mixed mode' capacity, enabling the airport to handle inbound flights more effectively during severe weather.
Paul Ellis, British Airways' infrastructure manager, said: "Years of practical experience of runway operation at Heathrow and Gatwick has shown conclusively that mixed mode operation provides much better protection against delays when weather conditions are difficult."
A recent statement by Virgin Atlantic has asserted that a third runway at Heathrow is necessary to keep up with business demand for regular flights.
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